Removable dryer module for a printing apparatus

#The present disclosure relates to a dryer module suitable for use in a large-scale, high-volume printing apparatus.

#In many types of printing, particularly ink-jet printing, there is a need to dry or cure ink placed on a sheet quickly. In a large-scale, high volume ink-jet printing application, particularly where full-color images are placed on a fast-moving continuous web, drying, curing or other treatment of the web is typically performed by an elaborate drying or curing system.

#In a print-shop environment, different print jobs may have different requirements. For example, some jobs may require high speed, while others require high quality, such as could be obtained only with multiple passes with multiple color inks, which may in turn require specialized or extended drying, curing or other treatment steps. Jobs that require specialized inks, such as MICR or metallic inks, may also require specialized or extended drying, curing or other treatment steps. It is desirable, then, to facilitate flexibility in drying or otherwise treating sheets in a variety of print jobs.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of a high-volume printing apparatus.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially exploded view of a single dryer module in isolation.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a dryer module, showing airflows when the module is in operation within a printing apparatus.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of a high-volume printing apparatus generally indicated as 10. In the particular architecture shown, a continuous web, such as of paper, is moved along the rollers at the top of the frame, where it is printed upon by a set of printheads (not shown). The web, having ink freshly placed thereon, can then be directed through one or more dryer modules, indicated as 42 and 44. In the Figure, dryer module 42 is shown removed from apparatus 10, while module 44 is shown in place to permit a sheet or web to pass through.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially exploded view of a single dryer module such as 42 in isolation. Dryer module 42 comprises a generally rectangular cabinet 50, defining a loosely enclosed chamber. The side walls of chamber 50 define sheet slots such as 52 (with another slot, not visible in the Figure) through which paper or other substrate, such as but not necessarily in the form of a continuous web, can pass through the chamber in process direction 54, in either direction depending on the larger architecture of printing apparatus 10.

#Also shown in FIG. 2 is a lamp mount 60, which holds and conveys electrical power (through circuitry, not shown) to any number of lamps 62, one of which is shown in isolation in the exploded view. The lamps 62 can be of any type known in the art of drying or curing ink or other marking material on printed sheets, and could also include simple resistive elements. As shown in the embodiment, the lamps 62 extend transversely relative to the process direction 54 through which sheets or a web pass. In an alternate embodiment, lamps 62 can be mounted along the process direction and therefore be selectably turned on according to the paper width passing through the dryer module; i.e., only a subset of lamps corresponding to the width of a sheet or web being fed at the time need be activated.